Deciphering Ben Ali's Code Words

The "long-serving" Tunisian despot is giving juicy soundbites to the Lebanese press. Here's President Ben Ali to the Lebanese magazine El Hawadeth:

President Ben Ali stressed the major reforms undertaken to strengthen the rule of law as well as pluralism and democracy, expressing his commitment "to move ahead in anchoring democracy and promoting political life".

"We will move ahead in further consolidating the foundations of a pluralist society and political parties are called upon to promote their capacities within a context of freedom and national responsibility" he said, adding that "the continuous promotion of our political life ranks first on my personal agenda".

The key phrase is "within a context of... national responsibility." Freedom can supposedly exist, but it is that pesky problem of "national responsibility" which Tunisian dissidents continually fail to uphold... and get hauled off to jail for offending.

Comments

[dr dre beats headphones]

Or maybe they'll request Everyday is Like Sunday: "Come, come, nuclear bomb..."